Chapter 15: The Residing Mage
Xia Zuo was snatched away by the wicked old man for an experiment, thus evading the marauding bandits and avoiding turning into charcoal like his homeland.
He was the sole survivor who managed to escape the clutches of the wicked old man.
Wilson paused for a moment, understanding the boy's meaning. A tinge of bitterness crossed his face. "Yes, lad. You indeed are the sole survivor from several villages down south."
Xia Zuo glanced at Audrey, receiving a silent prompt to continue.
"Uncle Wilson, were there any missing children in the villages before the raids?" he asked.
This notion simply connected the wicked old man and the bandits.
The sequence of events seemed coincidental, lacking substantial instances to firmly assert their alliance.
Xia Zuo gazed at Wilson, lost in thought, and added, "Their parents might not have thought the children were missing, hence no rewards on the notice boards seeking them."
"My bunkmate in the underground, Little Nose, mentioned he came to study alchemy, wanting the old man's recognition by undergoing the experiment to become his apprentice."
The images of three charred bodies flashed through his mind.
If only I had been quicker before the crucible exploded, if only I'd pulled Little Nose into the corridor, maybe…
Xia Zuo lowered his gaze, sighing softly. "The companions I met below ground, even in their dying moments, believed drinking the potion was just a test from the old man, obedient to that cursed alchemist without a second thought.
"They never imagined they would lose their lives underground.
"Little Nose naively believed that if he couldn't bear the toxicity of the potion, the old man would send him back to his parents' side..."
Audrey grasped the boy's hand under the table, calming his sorrow without a word.
Xia Zuo promptly closed his mouth, turning back to Wilson.
The man sank into an odd tranquility, eyes unfocused, staring blankly at the tableware.
In the silent room, only faint breaths echoed.
Xia Zuo and Audrey sat still, not daring to make a sound.
After about two minutes, Wilson took a deep breath. His face regained its composed demeanor, the vacant look vanished, replaced by a glint in his eyes.
"I recollected all casualty reports, cross-referencing the death toll with the village registers in the fortress's archives. There were fewer bodies in each ruin than the documented missing children. Their parents never sought help from the garrison stationed at the villages."
Wilson fixed his gaze on the boy. "Can you describe the specifics of that wicked old man?"
"Yes, yes!" Xia Zuo leaned forward, using a spoon to depict the layout of the underground, listing every detail he remembered since the transformation, all etched in his mind, cataloged in the repository of knowledge.
The memories of the alchemical chamber remained vivid and intact.
"Is the old man's staff and those three silver coins still with you?" Wilson inquired solemnly.
"The staff is in the trunk at the lodging, and the coins are with Big Sister here," Xia Zuo said, looking at Audrey.
"All of Xia Zuo's coins are stored separately, tucked into the compartment of the trunk," Audrey affirmed with a nod.
A flicker of delight crossed Wilson's face. Placing his hands together on the table, he asked once more, "Audrey, do you recall where you encountered Xia Zuo?"
"Of course. I found the approximate location of the underground on the circus map. Xia Zuo mentioned he walked north for two days. So, the cavern lies within the northwestern woods of the Pieke fortress," Audrey said, realizing the significance of the information Xia Zuo provided, sharing all she knew.
Wilson clapped his hands together, unable to contain his smile any longer. "Ah, these cunning rogues, finally caught them by the tail."
He stood, placing his right hand over his chest. "Audrey, Xia Zuo, the Pieke fortress needs your help. Join me in entering the castle. I will introduce you to the residing mage."
"It's my honor," Audrey said, rising and bowing slightly.
At the mention of a mage, Xia Zuo's eyes widened, sparkling with longing.
...
Audrey returned to the inn, donning leather armor, while Xia Zuo carried the silver coins and the broken staff.
The two boarded a carriage at the inn's entrance, accompanied by Wilson, and entered the castle.
The Pieke fortress comprised two areas: the city district for commoners and the castle district, a fusion of barracks and stronghold.
A low wall, moat, and massive iron gates separated the two regions.
Entry into the castle district required a pass or an invitation.
Wilson's carriage underwent inspection by the castle guards at the drawbridge.
Soldiers clad in grey chainmail recognized Wilson but still halted the carriage with their halberds.
Behind steel-hued helmets, the soldiers' poker faces cracked a faint smile. They scrutinized Wilson's pass and eyed the tall Audrey and the innocent-looking Xia Zuo.
"Open the gates! Lord Wilson has returned!" the soldier stepped back, signaling to the figures on the wall.
Behind the gates lay a gently sloping hillock.
The castle stood at the hill's end.
Its five levels coupled with the terrain made the Pieke Castle the tallest structure in the entire fortress.
Patrolling soldiers marched past the bustling training grounds.
Soldiers rested in groups of two or three near the barracks, jovially engaged in games with chess pieces.
Wilson's party made their way directly to the castle's hall.
The floor was adorned with sumptuous deep red carpets, soft and sound-absorbing, rendering the castle hushed and solemn.
Candelabras on the walls emitted a gentle glow, and stationed guards remained silent like sculptures.
The trio ascended a spiral staircase, pausing briefly at the fourth floor.
Wilson entered the corridor, engaging in a brief conversation with the fortress commander.
A minute or two later, he arrived at the fifth floor of the castle with Xia Zuo and Audrey.
The space on this level was wide but cluttered with various items, appearing unusually cramped.
Apart from a few support pillars, there were no walls separating the corridors and rooms, creating an entirely open floor space.
Mysterious and intricately lined oil paintings adorned the walls.
Xia Zuo used his probing spell on each painting, but the responses were all the same:
"Unknown formula derivation chart. Due to insufficient knowledge and perception, more detailed information could not be obtained."
Below the paintings lay bookshelves filled with volumes in indecipherable languages.
"Unknown alchemy volumes. Due to insufficient knowledge and perception, more detailed information could not be obtained."
Xia Zuo grimaced; it seemed there was nothing here he could comprehend.
Well, not entirely.
A small area cordoned off by curtains held a divan and a wardrobe.
Behind a wooden panel lay the bathing area.
In the central space stood a complex alchemical table, with two common crucibles gently heating liquids aided by an automated stirring arm.
A nearby shelf was stacked with various metal parts of different styles.
The apparent master of this floor, his back turned to the group, was furtively manipulating something in front of him, occasionally letting out excited laughter:
"Ah, I've found another bandit hideout. Bring me a few more; then I can report back. Wahaha~ The ladies of Starry Night City are still waiting for me."
*Cough*." Wilson awkwardly cleared his throat.
Without turning, the figure made a dismissive gesture and spoke casually, "Wilson, find a place to sit. I'll be done in a moment.
"For the plump lady, what would you like to drink? There are dried fruits and beverages on the table.
"And that sneaky-eyed little kid over there.
"I smell the scent of a fierce solvent on you. Can you tell me later how a little one like you manages such a potent potion?"
The robe of the figure was smudged with oil, glistening whenever they moved their hands.
How does this fortress-residing mage dress more eccentrically than me? I thought these resident mages were supposed to be wise, with flowing beards, like some hermit sage...
Xia Zuo silently criticized, standing motionless and using his probing spell on the individual.
[Character Name]??
[Identity] Pierre, Fortress Resident Mage
[Bloodline]??? (Healthy)
[Strength] 3
[Agility] 6
[Endurance] 4
[Vitality] 3
[Sense] 9
[Willpower] 3
[Spirit] 15
[Charm] 4
[Character Specialties]???
Spirit at 15 points!
What does that imply?
The description of the spirit attribute goes like this:
Spirit affects your acceptance of elements and energy. The higher your spirit, the less consumption and lower difficulty when manipulating elements and energy.
As long as I pump my spirit to 15, I can definitely become a mage!
Upon reaching vitality level 5, "Regeneration Speed" is unlocked.
So, if spirit reaches 5, 10, 15, will new abilities unlock?
At 5 points of spirit, unlocks mana? Magic power? A mana bar?
Judging from the fortress-residing mage's data before me, there's probably a specialty related to elemental affinity when reaching 10 spirit points.
Xia Zuo glanced at his own character template.
[Spirit] 1.2
Gained 0.2 spirit from reading, still holding 3 free attribute points.
When I gather enough, I'll hit 10 at once!
"Hey, little kid, seems like you envy me a lot."
The figure wiggled their hips, proudly stating, "Becoming a mage? That's all thanks to my innate talent~"
Nonsense talent, they were born with elemental affinity. Once I pump my spirit to 10, I'll have that too...
Xia Zuo rolled his eyes at the boastful figure.
Suddenly, the figure accelerated the manipulation of the object in their hands, making grunting sounds, "Don't run, don't run. Once these bandits mount up, I can't catch them. It's really annoying... forget it, I'll resume this in the afternoon."
With a shake of their robe, the figure tucked their hands into the sleeves.
Turning around, they revealed a face as youthful as Xia Zuo's.
Chubby cheeks and bright, large eyes made them look like a good-natured, honest chubby mage.
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